Critical Milestones in the Movement.

1901In 1901, Mary Harriman, a 19-year-old New York City debutante, formed the Junior League for the Promotion of Settlement Movements. Harriman mobilized a group of 80 other young women, hence the name "Junior League," to work to improve child health, nutrition, and literacy among immigrants living on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Inspired by her friend Mary, Eleanor Roosevelt joins the Junior League of the City of New York in 1903, teaching calisthenics and dancing to young girls at the College Settlement House.

1907-1920The second Junior League was formed in Boston, Mass. in 1907 and was soon followed by the founding of the Brooklyn, NY and Portland OR Junior Leagues in 1910. In 1912, the Junior League of Montreal becomes the first League in Canada, while five other Junior Leagues are formed in Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia and San Francisco.

During this time, Junior Leagues shift their focus from settlement house work to social, health and educational issues. In 1914, the founders of the Junior League of St. Louis march for women's suffrage.

1920s-1930sIn 1921, approximately 30 Junior leagues create the Association of Junior Leagues of America (AJLA) to provide professional support to the Leagues. Today it is the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI).

1928The Junior League of Huntington was formed under the name Junior Welfare League by Sylvia Zeller. The focus was on the Milk and Ice Campaign to assure the needs of the children in the Huntington community were met through distribution of Milk. In 1929, the Diaper Hamper was also introduced to assure the children had clothing to meet the demands of the day.

1932In 1932, The Junior Welfare League became the Junior League of Huntington and joined what is today the Association of Junior Leagues International.